Working Solar System Model

i'm a senior in highschool and i know it's been a while since i've done a science project, but i still remember how i did mine.
i would use styrofoam balls because not only are they easy to work with, but you can buy them in different sizes.
after you figure out which planets are larger than the others, buy the styrofoam balls accordingly, and buy some spray paint to match the colors of the planets.

for the rings on the planets, you can use a lot of different material; i know that they make ring-shaped styrofoam that you could attach to the ball with wires, but you could also use pipe cleaners.

find a large cardboard box, a very very large one. it's best that you have something closed on all sides, except leave the top open and turn the box on its side so the opening is facing you. spray paint the inside black with silver stars, or you can buy stick on stars. attach the planets and sun with thin string from the top of the box so that they hang down. decorate the outside of the cardboard box, and there you go.

i hope i helped you.

Wesley Said:

Does A WorkingModel Of The SolarSystem, As We Know It Today, Exist?

We Answered:

Yes.

I am certain that there are 3D computer models that include all the planets (their tilt), moons, known satellites, comets, and known asteroids in our solar system. I'm sure that NASA's is brilliant, but the ones I've found for free online aren't bad either. I have no idea if an up to date and accurate, mechanical representation exists.

Or this one allows you to tweek the planets away from actual size if you wish (which might be more fun to look at as a screen saver). http://www.3dsolarsystem.com/

Byron Said:

Did Isaac Newton and Sir Edmund Halley have a discussion on Newton's model of the solarsystem?

We Answered:

Yes there was such a discussion between halley and newton in the year 1720 something they had a serious issue of this situation

Discuss It!

aayush maurya said:

how to make solar system and what material it require

arnav said:

How to Make a Solar System Model at Home for a School Project
Viewing 4 of 14
It takes a beam of light 5.5 hours to travel from the sun to Pluto.
Building a solar system model is a hands-on way for your students to visualize the positions and size relationships of our neighborhood in space. But it is not practical to build a correctly scaled model. Guy Ottewell of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory points out that if you use an 8-inch ball to represent the sun, Earth would be the size of a peppercorn and the dwarf planet Pluto the size of a pinhead. The entire model would have a diameter of 1.58 miles.
Things You'll Need
Cardboard box
Tempera paints
10 straws
Assorted plastic foam balls
Poster board
Felt markers
School glue
Fishing line
Step 1
Lay the cardboard box on the side so that the opening faces you. Paint the inside black or a very dark blue. Add a few stars and galaxies with white paint.
Step 2
Sort the plastic foam balls into four sizes. The largest ball is the sun. The next largest are Jupiter and Saturn, followed by Uranus and Neptune, and then Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Pluto.
Step 3
Paint the plastic foam balls with tempera paints. The sun is yellow. Mercury is brown. Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are brownish-yellow. Mars is red. Earth, Neptune, and Uranus are blue. Pluto is black.
Step 4
Cut five rings out of poster board. Four rings will make the planetary rings for Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The fifth ring is the asteroid belt. It must be large enough to fit between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
Step 5
Glue the planetary rings to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Draw asteroids on the asteroid belt with felt markers while the glue dries.
Step 6
Glue the sun and the planets to the tips of straws. While the glue dries, cut two pieces of fishing line that are the length of the box opening's width. Punch two holes with your scissors into the center of your display box's top.
Step 7
Drop the pieces of fishing line through the holes so that all ends fall to the same height. Tie off the fishing lines with a knot at the display's ceiling so they won't slide around later.
Step 8
Glue the straws supporting the sun and the planets to the display's bottom. Place the sun in the center, then: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Tie the ends of the fishing line to the asteroid belt's quarter points.
Tips & Warnings
Leave enough space between Mars and Jupiter to hang the asteroid belt.
Pluto is no longer considered a planet, so it's OK to exclude Pluto from your display.
Use glow-in-the-dark paint for your stars and galaxies to make the display more interesting.
Use an apron or old clothes while working with tempera paints. They do not wash out completely.